Dietary approaches like intermittent energy restriction (IER), time-restricted eating (TRE), and continuous energy restriction (CER) can all improve blood sugar levels and body weight in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to a study.

Although researchers identified improved HbA1c levels, and adverse events were similar across the three groups, the IER group showed greater advantages in reducing fasting blood glucose, improving insulin sensitivity, lowering triglycerides, and strengthening adherence to the dietary interventions.

IER typically involves periods of reduced calorie intake. It differs from intermittent fasting (IF) as it involves periods of complete or near-complete food abstinence.